Pioneer preview: CL-B shoots for another deep run

Deep runs into the postseason have become the rule rather than the exception at Cass Lake-Bena and this year’s team expects that trend to continue.

“I hope we can go a long way again in the tournaments,” said Panthers coach Brian Michaelson who begins his second year on the CL-B bench. “The boys are shooting for the stars and I like to see those types of goals.

A year ago the Panthers posted a 22-7 record and advanced to the Section 8A semifinals where they lost to eventual section champion Fosston.

“The kids are shooting for at least 22 wins again this year and they hope to go a few steps further in the tournament,” Michaelson said.

There is reason to believe that Cass Lake-Bena can accomplish those goals as the squad returns four starters who have been with the program for many years.

“Our experience will be one of our strengths,” Michaelson said. “We have six seniors and we return a veteran group.”

CL-B’s projected starters all are seniors. The group includes post players Dakotah Brunelle (6-5) and Jake Ellis (6-4) plus guards Cody Wind (6-3) and Caleb Fisher (6-2).

Vying for the other starting guard position are seniors Wesley Moe (6-0) and Roberto Gomez (6-0).

Among the bench players are senior Kenny Cloud, juniors Jordan Collins, Bryce Premo and Anthony Swanholm plus sophomore Josh LaDuke.

“We have a big lineup and we will take advantage of our height,” Michaelson said. “All of our kids are also good athletes and we will continue to run.”

During the past decade Cass Lake-Bena’s opponents have come to expect to face full-court pressure and up-tempo play from the opening buzzer to the final seconds. Michaelson expects that trend to continue this winter.

“I’m still running the kids every day so we can maintain our transition game,” the coach said. “We run set plays on offense and the kids are picking that up very well. But we also use the press to create turnovers and we turn those turnovers into points with our transition game.”

If the Panthers have a weakness it might be ball possession.

“We’re still looking for someone to step up at point guard but I’m sure that will happen,” Michaelson said. “We also haven’t faced a press yet and it will be interesting to see how we handle that.”

So far the season has been enjoyable and the players have made progress.

“This is my second year as coach and it is getting easier to (implement) our system,” Michaelson said. “We have the base established and now we want to grow. I learned quite a bit last year when we played against the tough man-to-man defenses in the tournaments and we are working at attacking that.

“It isn’t often during the regular season that we face a man-to-man but the better teams in the playoffs use it,” the coach added. “We have to be prepared for the man-to-man because we want to reach the Section 8A title game.”

Bagley

Bagley fashioned a memorable season last winter, ending with a 27-3 record after losing 69-50 to Thief River Falls in the Section 8AA semifinals.

The Flyers compiled that record without a senior in the lineup so this year’s squad should be strong once again.

This season’s senior class includes Allen Deshane, Chase Netland, Austin Bellefy, Tyler George, Kris Skersick, Nick Neeland, Tim Conger, Lorenzo Pemberton and Kaine Lundmark.

The juniors are Lucas Thompson, Riley Knutson, Marcus Malterud and Patrick Thompson.

The Flyers gave notice of their strength in the season opener when they belted Park Rapids 78-28 on Tuesday.

Thursday they hosted Ulen-Hitterdal and on Dec. 13 they will battle Waubun.

Red Lake

The Warriors opened the year with a pair of victories and hoped to continue that trend Thursday when they met Stephen-Argyle.

On Monday Red Lake toppled Sacred Heart 56-51 and on Tuesday it belted Goodridge-Grygla 90-74.

On Dec. 15 Red Lake will tangle with neighborhood rival Cass Lake-Bena in a game that is always spirited and well played.

Red Lake has four seniors listed on its roster including Joe Perkins, Brendan Beaulieu, Lakota Chaboyea and Brett King.

The junior cast features Aaron Beaulieu, Corey Beaulieu, Darion Cobenais, Nicholas Roy and Russell Barrett while the sophomores are Frank Lasley, Ryan Holthusen and Treven Head.

Kelliher-Northome

With four returning starters the Kelliher-Northome players hope to better last year’s results which included a victory over Mahnomen in the first round of the sub-section playoffs.

“We have a lot of kids returning and great underclassmen who will also assist us,” said K-N coach Bob Stueven who is in his seventh year at the helm.

The returning starters include seniors Joey Schuh and Jeff Roosdett plus juniors Keith Shaughnessy and Caleb Schneider.

Other returning varsity players include juniors Tristan Williams, Travis Olafson and Cyril Weidenborner plus sophomore Isaiah Rahier.

“We hope to accomplish a single-digit loss record and not be satisfied with a single win in the playoffs,” Stueven said.

Blackduck

Grant Mistic begins his seventh year on the Blackduck bench and his team enters the winter with high aspirations.

“We ended up losing in the first round of the playoffs with a record of 13-12,” the coach said. “We have our sights set on a conference championship and going deep into the playoffs.”

Mistic expects to start with defense and build from there.

“Our biggest challenge this year will be to keep the young team mentally focused through ups and downs,” he said.

In the early going the Drakes have had only ups as they own a 71-63 victory over Kelliher-Northome and a 78-14 win over Laporte.

They play at a Fosston tournament this week and host Nevis on Dec. 13.

Peter Fraley, Lucas Krabbenhoft and Aaron Nissen are the captains and the only seniors.

“I expect them to be leaders and to lead by example,” Mistic said.

The juniors include Dominic Anderson, Dylan Weisert, Mitchell Sparby and Brad Kusper while the sophomores are Trey Volk and Jacob Krabbenhoft.

“Not only were we successful on the court last year but we were also Academic state champions and we hope to continue our excellence on and off the court,” the coach said.

Laporte

The Wildcats began the winter with a 78-14 loss to Blackduck and met Pine River Thursday.

On Friday Laporte is scheduled to face Verndale.

This year’s cast of seniors includes Sean Alia, Nathan Ware, Adam Reed, Ben Molacek and Mitch Hoffmann. The junior class is represented by Dylan Smith and Matt Moss while the sophomores are Kyle Kerby, Jared Miller and Donovin Kelley. Austin Moss is the lone freshman.